How should I care for my boat trailer brakes after saltwater use?

Yes. Saltwater is extremely corrosive and can quickly damage your trailer’s braking system if not maintained properly. When brakes are submerged in saltwater, the salt accelerates rust, corrosion, and pitting on critical components like calipers, rotors, pads, and brake lines. Over time, this can reduce stopping power and even cause brake failure.

Why Saltwater is Harmful to Brakes

• Accelerated Corrosion: Saltwater breaks down protective coatings and eats away at metal surfaces.
• Grease and Seal Breakdown: Salt intrusion weakens seals and contaminates lubricated parts.
• Premature Wear: Corrosion can cause pads to stick, rotors to pit, and calipers to seize.
• Safety Risk: Neglected saltwater damage leads to uneven braking, longer stopping distances, or complete brake failure.

Best Practices After Saltwater Launches

• Rinse Thoroughly: After every launch or retrieval, rinse your brakes with fresh water.
  • Disc Brakes: Manually hose down the calipers, rotors, and brake lines.
  • Drum Brakes: Use the built-in flush kit (if equipped) to push fresh water into the drum assembly.
• Use a Flush Port (if equipped): Many drum brake systems include a dedicated flush port for easy rinsing. Disc brakes typically do not have flush ports and must be rinsed manually.
• Flush Immediately: Don’t wait until the end of the day — flushing or rinsing right after saltwater use minimizes salt deposits and prevents corrosion from setting in.